Accessories for pedestal supported decks

ABSTRACT

Accessories for pedestal supported decks which are installed in place of individual wooden tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements and which rest on and may be fastened to the pedestals. Accessories such as planters, seats, tables, containers, storage units, fountains and ponds have one or more base units which fit directly on to the pedestals in place of the tile, paver or other floor element. Planters, ponds and fountains drain directly to the underside of the deck and such accessories can incorporate irrigation, circulation and water supply elements underneath the accessory which are not visible from the deck. Accessories can be built from the same or different materials as the deck floor and can be built around standard sized pre-fabricated components and incorporate components of the deck floor so as to match the appearance of the deck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12387206/042909, Filed Apr. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, granted ______

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

I. Field of the Present Invention

This invention relates to planters, seats and other accessories for use on pedestal supported decks. Specifically, it relates to modular accessories which replace individual tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements and which are directly supported by the pedestals.

II. Description of Prior Art

Deck construction systems have been developed which elevate, connect and support wood or stone tiles, concrete pavers, granite slabs or other floor elements. The systems provide a level deck over even, uneven or sloping structural surfaces. Importantly they allow water to drain between the deck and the surface below. The term “tile” is used in describing prior art and in describing this invention and denotes any wood or stone tile, concrete paver, granite slab or other flat floor element of any shape used to create the floor of a pedestal supported deck. The term “pedestal” is used in describing prior art and describing this invention and denotes any component which supports the corners or edges of a “tile” as previously defined.

These systems are characterized by having pedestals which elevate the tiles off the ground and spacers which provide a uniform gap between the tiles. A pedestal may be only a fraction of an inch high or may be a foot or more tall. An individual pedestal will generally be placed at the corners or along the edges of each tile and will support adjacent tiles. The pedestals used to support the corners of a single tile can be of the same height or can be of different or adjustable heights to allow the tile and deck surface to be leveled when the surface below is uneven. Tiles may be square, rectangular, circular or another shape. Tiles may be cut to fit around or along-side other structures. The upper or floor surface of each tile is flat and sometimes ribbed as an anti-slip measure. Pedestals are available in different designs and strengths to allow for different loads. Shims may be used to adjust pedestal heights or screw-to-adjust pedestals may be used for leveling. A pedestal may sit on a separate base plate to spread the load more evenly over the ground. Pedestals, connectors and tiles may incorporate a fastening system. A fastener directly or indirectly attaches a tile to its adjacent tiles. A fastener may be a screw that is driven into the pedestal or a component of the pedestal or connector that engages the tile by friction. Tiles may have holes, grooves, slots or other modifications to connect the tile to the fastener. Fasteners may not be necessary if the weight of the tile is sufficient to keep the tile in place.

Water drains through the inter-tile space, or in some cases through gaps within each tile, to the drainage area below. Tiles can be lifted off the pedestals (after undoing any fasteners should that be necessary) to access the pedestals and the underneath drainage surface and area. That area may contain pipes and wiring running under the panels and between the pedestals.

The systems are used on rooftops and balconies, over occupied or unoccupied spaces, over even or uneven ground, gravel beds and over poured concrete slabs. The systems fill the need for flat, level, drainable decks, patios or pathways. The systems can be used to provide a deck surrounding a swimming pool or a drainable floor for a sauna inside a building. The systems are designed for pedestrian foot traffic not vehicular traffic.

Seats, tables, benches, planters, pots, fountains, fish ponds and other accessories are used on top of these tile decks. Accessories are of different designs and might be made of wood, stone, plastic or other materials. Planters and earthenware or plastic pots with plants may be irrigated. Excess moisture is allowed to run through or around the tiles to the cavity below or into a tray which drains to the cavity below. If the layout of accessories is changed the surface of the floor which was under a planter or tray is often discolored by trapped moisture and the lack of sunlight. Seats, storage boxes and other deck accessories placed on top of the deck may obscure sunlight and result in differential coloration of the deck surface underneath the accessory relative to the surrounding deck. An alternative to placing accessories such as benches, planters or ponds on the deck is to set them on the ground below the deck and build the deck around them. However, building an accessory on to the lower surface may require a supporting foundation and the installation becomes permanent.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This invention provides a superior way of accessorizing a pedestal supported tiled deck. Several objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide:

-   -   (a) pedestal supported accessory modules which can be installed         on the deck by simply removing one or more of the tiles and         replacing it with a module or modules     -   (b) a range of accessory modules which in combination add         functionality to the deck and enable the design of seating         arrangements, entrance ways and decorative features which match         the overall appearance of the deck     -   (c) a simple way of changing the layout of accessories on a deck         while maintaining a uniform appearance and style.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent after reading the descriptions of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 3 b illustrate examples of the prior art for constructing pedestal supported decks.

FIG. 1 is a view of a pedestal supported deck installed on a sloping terrain using concrete paving stones.

FIG. 2 is a top view of three wooden tiles and the supporting pedestals showing the tile spacers.

FIG. 3 a shows the corner of three adjoining wooden tiles with a fastening screw above the hole in the pedestal.

FIG. 3 b shows a metal disc inserted between slots in the wooden tiles with the fastening screw in place pulling the disc and the tiles down on to the pedestal.

The following figures illustrate the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a wooden tiled deck with modular accessories according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 shows a modular planter constructed of IPE wood in another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 shows a prefabricated box shaped unit, with no top or bottom, used to fabricate deck modules according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 shows the attachment of IPE wood slats as a step in the fabrication of a planter module.

FIG. 8 a shows the attachment of an IPE wood slat to the top of a prefabricated box shaped unit.

FIG. 8 b shows the attachment of an IPE wood slat to the top of one side of the prefabricated box shaped unit.

FIG. 9 shows a further step in the fabrication of an IPE wood planter.

FIG. 10 shows a modular seat according to another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 shows a slot in the corner of the base of a module to allow a fastening disc and screw to be used to attach the corner of the module to the pedestal and adjoining tiles.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a prefabricated box with a lip along the edges of the top and bottom sides to facilitate the fabrication of deck modules in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a prefabricated box shaped unit designed to incorporate decorative side panels or ceramic tiles into the deck accessory.

FIG. 14 shows a deck accessory with side panels in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 15 shows a prefabricated box shaped unit with a water supply below the deck level.

FIG. 16 shows the base of a prefabricated box shaped unit with a water supply for a planter irrigation system or a fountain.

FIG. 17 shows a table built on two modules each supported by four pedestals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description like reference numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. The first four figures and illustrations are for the purpose of describing prior art as background to the invention. The remaining figures and illustrations show preferred embodiments of the invention. The illustrations of the preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view of a tile supported deck or patio installed on a sloping terrain in accordance with prior art. The floor tile 1 is one of a plurality of identical square paving stones. Each stone is supported by a pedestal such as pedestal 2 with the corners of as many as four stones resting on one pedestal. The pedestals are of adjustable heights to allow the deck to be level over the sloping ground. Spacers between the stones (not shown) create a uniform appearance. A pedestal 3 along the edge has a top surface which can be cut back or snapped off to prevent the pedestal extending beyond the stone paver.

FIG. 2 is another example of prior art. It shows a top view of three separate wooden IPE tiles and the supporting pedestals. In this example each IPE tile 4 is made up of eight slats of equal dimensions which form the top surface of the deck and three underneath slats 5 (shown in a dotted lines) of the same dimensions which are screwed into the top slats at a ninety degree angle to assemble the tile unit. The tops of each pedestal 6 are shown together with tile four spacers 7 which slot into the pedestal. One commercially available IPE tile covers 24″×24″ including the width of a spacer. IPE tiles of this construction together with associated pedestals are supplied by Bison Deck Supports, United Construction Products, Inc. Company, 1975 W. 13th Ave. Denver, Colo. 80204. The corners of each IPE tile are twice the thickness of one slat. The same manufacturer offers a rectangular IPE tile which is twice as long on one side. Another commercially available IPE tile covers approximately 20″×20″ including the spacer. IPE tiles of this size together with connectors and a fastener system are supplied by DLH Nordisk, Greensborough, N.C. 27408.

FIG. 3 a shows an example of prior art used to fasten IPE tiles to a pedestal. Three corners of three wooden tiles 4 are shown together with the lower slats 5 which join the top slats 4 together. The fourth tile and the spacers are not shown in this illustration so that one can see the fastening system. The top of the pedestal 6 is horizontal. The lower part of the pedestal is not shown for reasons of clarity. The bottom corners of the tiles rest on the pedestal. In the corner of each tile a slot 8 has been cut in each slat 5. In the exact center of the top surface of pedestal 6 is a hole 9 which can be seen from above between the tile corners, even when four tiles are in place. A screw 10 can be inserted between the tiles.

FIG. 3 b shows the large washer 11 in place in the slots with the screw 10 in place, holding the three tiles down on to the pedestal. The screw 10 has passed through hole 9 in washer 11. In practice, all four tiles and the washer are assembled and the screw is driven down using a screwdriver between the corners from above. This figure again shows prior art as background to this invention. Bison Deck Supports supply the components for this fastening system.

FIG. 4 shows a wooden tiled deck with modular accessories according to one embodiment of this invention. The deck uses IPE tiles 4 arranged in a pattern with the slats in alternate tiles at ninety degrees to each other. By way of example six tiles have been replaced by accessory modules according to this invention. Module 12 is a planter, shown empty in this figure, one in each foreground corner of the deck. The planters are supported by the pedestals 13 which are appropriately selected to carry the loads. At the rear of the deck two seats 14 have been installed each seat replacing two wooden tiles.

FIG. 5 shows a modular planter 15 constructed of IPE wood in an embodiment of this invention. This planter 15 uses twenty IPE slats (4), four on each side and four around the top each cut to size. These slats can readily be obtained by disassembling IPE tiles. The planter is fabricated so that the footprint of the base is exactly the same as the tile it replaces.

FIG. 6 shows a prefabricated box 16, with no top or bottom, which can be used to fabricate planter 15 and other deck modules according to one embodiment of this invention. Box 16 can be made of wood, composite material or plastic. Box 16 can be fabricated from sheets or molded. The preferred material will be long lasting, able to withstand the environment and be easy to drill and cut. In one embodiment of this invention Box 16 is fabricated from sheets of ⅜ inch ABS plastic. Four sheets are cut and glued together. The width of all four sides is equal in size to the side dimension of a wooden tile minus the thickness of two slats. The height of Box 16 is equal to the number of slats high plus the number of slats minus one times the width of the gap between the slats in a deck tile. Should Box 16 provide the core of a module that replaces more than one tile then the dimensions are changed in line with that requirement as will become clear from the figures which follow.

FIG. 7 shows one step in the attachment of IPE wood slats to Box 16 in the fabrication of planter module 15 as shown completed in FIG. 5. Slat 17 across one side of the top of the planter is the same length as a slat from a wooden tile. Slat 17 is wider than Box 16 to the extent of two slat widths. Slat 18 (there will be eight of these) are of the same length as Box 16 is wide.

FIG. 8 a shows how the slats are attached to Box 16 so that none of the heads of the stainless steel screws are visible from outside the box. All holes are pre-drilled. First, lengths of square cross section hardwood 19 are cut to exactly fit the top inside perimeter of Box 16. These lengths are then screwed to the box with countersunk stainless screws 20 from the outside. The planter top slat 17 and the other three top slats are then screwed to hardwood 19 with screws 21. It is easier to remove screws 20 and hardwood 19 to attach the top four slats and then replace screws 20 to complete the attachment as shown in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 b shows how slat 18 is then screwed to Box 16 with screws 22 to complete this stage of the fabrication.

FIG. 9 shows the next step in the completion the planter. Slats 17 and 18 and similar are screwed to the outside of the planter from the inside. The bottom of Box 16, shown as 23, can be closed with a sheet of ⅜ inch ABS to complete the planter. Drainage holes can then be made to allow the planter to drain to the area under the deck. The finished planter is shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 shows a seat module constructed from a prefabricated box similar or identical to Box 16. The fabrication process will be similar to that described for the planter. The top of the seat can be made removable and the inside bottom can be closed to make a storage unit. A seat module can be several tile widths wide and a range of prefabricated boxes can be on hand to construct such modules.

FIG. 11 shows how the lower corners of an accessory module can be slotted to allow the module to be fixed to a pedestal in the same manner as a tile as shown in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a prefabricated plastic Box 25 with a lip 26 along the inside perimeter of the top and the bottom sides to facilitate the fabrication of deck modules in accordance with this invention. The lip 25 avoids the need for the hardwood lengths 19 shown in FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b to fix the top trim. An identical lower lip 26 makes the prefabricated molded Box 25 usable either way up. Boxes can be stacked, bolted together and made of different heights to accommodate various module designs. Plastic panels 28 can be inserted into Box 25 resting on the lower lip to make a planter base or a storage container bottom.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a prefabricated Box 29 designed to incorporate decorative side panels or ceramic tiles into a deck accessory in accordance with this invention. This box may be of molded plastic or constructed from plastic sheets and components which are glued together. ABS plastic sheets ⅜ inch thick are suitable for such construction. The base of the box 30 is of the same dimensions as the deck tile which it replaces except for the thickness. The surfaces of the vertical sides 31 are set back from the base 30 a distance equal to the thickness of an IPE or Massaranduba slat (e.g. ¾″) plus the thickness of a ceramic tile or decorative panel (e.g. ⅜″). Grooves 32 are molded or routed into the base 30 along each edge of the vertical sides 31 extending to the edges of the base. If a router is used the grooves are made before the sides are glued on. The top lip 33 of Box 29 has grooves molded or routed into the underside of the lips of the same width as the grooves in the base. These top grooves are vertically above the grooves in the base. Ceramic tiles or decorative panels are slid into these grooves and retained by the structure.

FIG. 14 shows a completed planter with ceramic tiles on the sides, this figure showing a continuation of the fabrication shown in FIG. 13. Ceramic tiles 34 have been cut to fit half the width of surface 31 and have been slid into the grooves in the base and upper lips. An IPE wooden slat 18 is used as trim along the base and is screwed to the base from underneath. Similar slats are cut to fit all the other sides of the base. These cover the ends of the grooves in the base preventing the ceramic tiles from sliding out. The edges of the tiles can be sealed with grout. The top lip of the planter can be trimmed with IPE (not shown).

FIG. 15 shows a modification to prefabricated Box 29 in which a solid bar 35, drilled with a horizontal ½″ hole, is incorporated into the underside of the base. The hole extends to the center of the base as shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 shows the base of Box 29 (the rest of the box is omitted from the figure for clarity) with a vertical hole drilled from the surface at the center of the base to connect to the horizontal hole. Each end of the hole is threaded. A one-half inch rising tube 36 is connected to the hole in the center of the base. This arrangement allows connections under the deck to a water supply. The water supply may be controlled by a timer at the water source or under the deck. Riser 36 can be used for a drip irrigation device or a mist irrigation device where the accessory is a planter. Riser 36 may be used to supply water to a fountain if the accessory is used for that purpose. Drainage holes 34 allow water to flow away under the tiled deck. Similar constructions can be used for circulating water in a fish pond accessory.

FIG. 17 shows a table 37 built on two modules each supported by four pedestals. In this case each pedestal must be appropriately sized for the weight of the structure. In this embodiment the top of the module extends beyond the footprint of the tiles which the module replaces.

Having described the invention in terms of the preferred and other embodiments it will be apparent that other modifications and improvements can be made and other deck accessories produced with the same intrinsic advantages. For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding these have been omitted since it will be evident that they are properly within the scope of the claims. 

1. An accessory unit, for decks constructed from tiles, pavers or other deck surface floor elements that are supported by pedestals or connectors, which: a. Replaces one or more tiles, pavers or deck surface floor elements b. Is supported by the pedestals or tile connectors c. Is substantially above the surface of the deck whereby creating three dimensional units with useful or decorative features that are installed in the deck.
 2. An accessory according to claim 1 which incorporates a system for fastening the unit to the pedestals, connectors, adjacent deck tiles, pavers or other deck surface floor elements.
 3. An accessory according to claim 1 which is constructed from materials selecting from the group consisting of plastic, wood, IPE, Massaranduba, metal, concrete, ceramic and composites said materials being used alone or in combination.
 4. An accessory according to claim 1 which is constructed or partly constructed from deck tiles, pavers or other deck surface elements or the components of said surface elements including IPE and Massaranduba wooden slats.
 5. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is closed and the top of which is open, said accessory being a planter, container, pond, fountain or ice chest which can be drained directly to the area below the deck.
 6. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is open.
 7. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is open or closed and the top of which is closed, said accessory being used as a seat, table, storage chest or as a stand for a light, sculpture or other decorative or utilitarian object.
 8. An accessory according to claim 1 where a part or parts of the accessory extend beyond the perimeter of one or more of the deck tiles, pavers or deck floor elements that it replaces.
 9. An accessory according to claim 1 which has more than one base where each base replaces one or more tiles, pavers or deck floor element s which are not contiguous and said accessory has a top or shelves that bridge across the gap between the bases.
 10. A planter, fountain or pond accessory according to claim 1 which has built-in water piping that can be accessed from underneath the base of the accessory by removing contiguous tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements. 